A healthcare review recommending wide-scale cuts to St Helier hospital has no business case according to GPs groups involved in the consultation..

The Better Services Better Value (BSBV) review of NHS services across south west London, led by local doctors, nurses and health professionals.

In a statement issued today on behalf of the health professionals, it was admitted the business case for the review is no longer viable and the options previously put forward are no longer on the table for discussion.

The preferred option for altering healthcare provision in the region was the closure of accident and emergency and maternity services at St Helier Hospital, with patients being encouraged to attend neighbouring hospitals such as St George's Hospital in Tooting.

At the end of last year, Surrey Downs Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), one of seven involved in the consultation, pulled put of the process, forcing the BSBV bosses to review the process.

Sub-committees set up by the remaining CCGs have been dissolved.

A joint statement released by the six south west London CCGs - Croydon, Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton and Wandsworth, said: "As we have made clear in the past, the BSBV business case is now invalid and the options put forward through the programme are no longer on the table for consultation.

"It follows that all six CCGs are in the process of dissolving the committees to which they had delegated decision-making on BSBV.

"However, the challenges outlined in the BSBV case for change remain.

"If we do not address these challenges, we know that local services will decline in quality and that we will not be able to meet the required quality and safety standards.

"We are discussing with each other and with our boards how we address these challenges and we hope to make a further announcement in February."

Comments (2)

Just as campaigners have been saying for two years! I wish they'd saved the millions spent on this and listened to the community a long time ago. BSBV is discredited, defunct and the case against closures is clear cut. Now we need Sutton CCG to stand with campaigners and community and back our hospital to the hilt.

Just as campaigners have been saying for two years! I wish they'd saved the millions spent on this and listened to the community a long time ago. BSBV is discredited, defunct and the case against closures is clear cut. Now we need Sutton CCG to stand with campaigners and community and back our hospital to the hilt.Niki R

Sutton CCG supported these major service closures - what's the matter with them? You expect doctors to understand the impossibility of expecting sick patients to travel long distances through congested traffic to get medical help. Sutton CCG needs to raise its game in 2014 and show beyond doubt that it is on the side of patients and not private health providers out to make a profit from public misery.

Sutton CCG supported these major service closures - what's the matter with them? You expect doctors to understand the impossibility of expecting sick patients to travel long distances through congested traffic to get medical help. Sutton CCG needs to raise its game in 2014 and show beyond doubt that it is on the side of patients and not private health providers out to make a profit from public misery.Michael Pantlin